[163] HISTORY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



ports of Gloucester and Boston packing by far the greater part of all 

 the pickled mackerel put up in the State. 



The second statement shows the total number of barrels of each grade 

 of mackerel packed in Massachusetts during each year from 1804 to 1881, 

 and also the total value of each year's inspection since the year 1830. 

 The quantities of mackerel in this table are from the preceding table. 

 It shows substantially the total quantity of pickled mackerel sold for 

 exportation from the State as well as for consumption within the State; 

 though perhaps 5 per cent, of the total number of barrels packed 

 escapes inspection. 



From a review of this statement we see that there has been a very 

 great fluctuation in the extent of the mackerel business. The smallest 

 number of barrels was packed in 1814, and the largest number in 1831. 

 The year 1851 was a prosperous one, and also the year 1870. During 

 the past four or five years an extensive business in fresh mackerel has 

 been developed, so that in 1881 about 125,000 barrels were sold in a 

 fresh condition. If this quantity be added to the amount inspected, it 

 shows a total catch by Massachusetts vessels nearly equal to that of the 

 year 1831. 



The third statement shows the number of barrels of mackerel rein- 

 spected in Massachusetts during the years 1850 to 1853, 1859 to 1876, 

 1878 to 1881. It represents barrels of mackerel that are repacked in 

 smaller packages, and may include fish already accounted for under 

 the head of "inspected," while a very small fraction may consist of im- 

 ported fish repacked. These statistics are compiled from the official 

 documents, signed by the inspector-generals. 



